Saturday, March 18, 2017

on the lookout



It takes two hours for a snowflake to fall from cloud to earth. Can't you just see its slow peaceful decent?-Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Reading this, I snapped the book closed, and without thought clasped my hands together as if in prayer and sighed.  The discovery of this miracle made me stop in wonderment.  Literally, it took my breath away. I stared into nothingness and felt the awe.  I mean I really felt it.  For some reason, I looked out the window.  On cue, (no joke) puffy snow flakes were lightly falling.  Air catching under each, the decent was slow and peaceful. Moments later it stopped.

Rosenthal writes about serendipity which she seems to equate with coincidence.  Serendipity woke me early having checked FB, a friend posted an article claiming that research shows eating chocolate cake for breakfast is good for the brain and for the waistline.  I was all over that.  Before sunrise and before I downed my first almond milk latte, I had fork-full by fork-full indulged in a wedge of leftover birthday cake.

serendipity
If you like something, you tend to be on the lookout for it.  And if you're on the lookout for it, you tend to find it, or it-Yoo-hoo! Over here!-finds you.  And so it goes, for me, with serendipity and coincidence.  It's something I like, so it's something I notice and attract. -Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This morning, serendipity found me, and I am over the moon excited for what might become today and tomorrow. I think of serendipity as miracles, however small.  Notice, attract, repeat. Notice, attract, repeat. I will be on the lookout, will you?




23 comments:

Anonymous said...

This makes me want to run out and buy Amy's memoir, Textbook. I have been so touched by her authenticity and presence on this earth. Thanks for reminding me that even though she will not put down any more words, the words she has written are out there for our enjoyment and discovery. I'm totally getting her book, now.

travelinma said...

Agreed. Her ability to perceive in a totally different way makes all things possible. I just started this, but it has already expanded my view. So far it is delightful.

Unknown said...

She really nailed it didn't she. Serendipity is all around us. you just have to be open to it.

Judy said...

She was a great author - my granddaughters introduced her to me with some of their favorite books. I could see that snowflake floating gently to the ground. Good to know about eating chocolate. Of course, I think it's good no matter when I eat it! Hugs

Linda B said...

Amy inspires no matter what she's writing, I agree. Love "Yoo-hoo! Over here!-finds you' and that chocolate cake looks sumptious. I didn't know about the cake and the brain, will certainly remember! Thanks, Barbara!

Diane Anderson said...

Lovely reflection...I am going to be mindful of it today and see what sweet serendipity comes my way.

Carol Varsalona said...

It is serendipitous that you sent me your link because I have a hard time finding the links. I love the first quote. It will be a great compliment to my Winter Wonder Gallery that I am designing this week. I would like to invite you to take your thoughts in your opening about the snowflakes you watched fall. This would make a great poem if you are in interested in accepting my offer. Check out the link ton my post to the invitation for Winter Wonder (http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2017/01/invitation-to-winter-wonder-17.html). I am going to place the quote in the gallery compliments of you but an image poem from you would be great. PicMonkey is a free tool to create an image poem like you see in today's slice that you commented on. Hope you accept my offer, Barbara.

Fran Haley said...

I love snow. I find it peaceful, magical. Granted, I do not live in a place that gets blizzards, or maybe I'd feel differently! I love your focus on serendipity - even used it as the symbol of a turning point in a story once. I am fascinated how things, events, and people's thoughts connect in serendipitous ways so often. I enjoyed this - and didn't know it takes a snowflake two hours to fall! Captivating!

travelinma said...

She really did!

travelinma said...

Thanks Judy!

travelinma said...

Carol, I saw the invitation on the side bar, clicked on it and nothing happened. For the comment challenge it was suggested we leave our link. So easy to reciprocate that way. I thought it was brilliant.

arjeha said...

All we have to do is be receptive. Such wisdom in those lines.

Elisabeth Ellington said...

I love her words on serendipity. (I'm reading Textbook right now too.) Chocolate cake for breakfast sounds like the best possible way to start a day (well, with that latte too!)

elsie said...

I love the way Amy explored, experienced, extended the world. I will be on the lookout for whatever comes my way. She reminds us to see and note what is around us.

Pat Holloway said...

I needed to read this today. I'll try to be mindful too and purchase Textbook. Thank you.

Unknown said...

I did not know that about snowflakes. Incredible.

The photo that goes with this is charming!

Rose Cappelli said...

I just received AKR's Textbook in the mail yesterday. Serendipity. Thanks for. A lovely post.

Donna Smith said...


These happen more to me than can I understand. I do think I notice. I let myself do, and then find the why. Sometimes you can see the why almost immediately, and other times it may be a long ways into the future. Love the snowflake.

http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-jealousy-post.html

Julieanne said...

Thank you for the ARK reflections and how they tied into your life. Serendipity yes. The connections we make to our world and each other are the joy of it all. Just like this SOLC!

Chris Margocs said...

I love the connections you made, the details that carved out a calm moment even for me in the reading of them. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Beverley Baird said...

There is something so magical about watching snow fall. Loved your observations - didn't know that about the fall of snowflakes or about chocolate cake at breakfast. I have been reading Amy's pbs this week - just got a few more from the library yesterday. Now I must read her memoirs. She has touched so many lives. Still can't believe she's gone.

Heidi said...

"Notice, attract, repeat". Love it! It should be my new mantra.

https://wordsmithing2017.wordpress.com

Mrs. Estrada said...

I keep running into Amy through SOL -- serendipity! What would you recommend as an intro book to her?

Thanks!